Questions about new Maersk-MSC Alliance

It may not be a slam dunk. While the proposed “2M” vessel sharing agreement that Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co. announced on Thursday is significantly smaller than the P3 Network announced last year, which was also going to include CMA CGM, the companies could still face opposition to the new alliance. While the two companies also removed a feature highlighted by China’s Ministry of Trade when it rejected plans for the P3 Network — the creation of a joint operations center — that may not be enough to satisfy opponents. The China Shippers’ Association was outspoken in its opposition to the P3, and its vice president, Cai Jia-Xiang, told American Shipper on Friday that according to China’s interna...